Airfares Take Off – 6 Tips to Land Savings

Given recent airfare rates, you won’t be surprised to learn airlines are expected to turn an $8.9 billion profit this year. That’s according to estimates released by an industry trade group called the International Air Transport Association (IATA) earlier this month.

IATA CEO Giovanni Bisignani called the profit margin “razor-thin.” Well, it’s sure taking a razor to our already skinny wallets: average airfare prices per mile were up 14 percent in August over last year’s.

And nobody can forget those fees that airlines have been tacking on, which account for a large chunk of their profit – especially baggage fees. Those netted $893 million in just the second quarter of 2010. If that doesn’t make you airsick, you can read a more detailed breakdown of airline profits provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

But why is the fare itself getting so expensive, and what can you do to save? With the average annual cost of plane fuel staying stable, the real reason for the high cost of flying is that airlines are cutting back on flights to keep planes full. IATA calls this “disciplined capacity management … leading to sharply stronger yields.” In other words, fewer flights means more packed planes and fewer discounts. Struggling carriers are also merging or falling out of competition – just this week Southwest agreed to buy Airtran – and less competition often means higher prices. You can’t do anything about that, but here are some tips to make your holiday travel more affordable:

Join some airline sites

You don’t have all day to surf around looking for deals. Choose a few airlines that you’re likely to fly and sign up to receive promotions via email. Do it now, so you have at least a little time before you’ll need to book your holiday flight.

Check out coupon codes

While these codes are usually for package deals (hotel + flight) sometimes you can find a discount coupon at sites like retailmenot. Don’t get your hopes up, however: a lot of the codes are for travel sites rather than airlines and some are simply silly. (Example: on one site I visited they had a “coupon” for free luggage on Southwest – something that’s already free.)

Book early, not late

Some people wait until the last minute, hoping discounted seats will open up. Don’t count on that this year, because the high demand will eat up that limited supply. IATA expects this year’s demand to be 11 percent higher than last, but it predicts capacity will expand by a mere 7 percent. If you wait, you might find fares doubling. Or worse.

Fly mid-week, not the start of the week

Some airlines charge extra fees depending on the day you travel. Tuesday and Wednesday flights are generally $20 cheaper each way than Sunday or Monday flights. If you’re booking multiple tickets for the family, that can add up.

Take a few extra days off

If you want to pay as much as possible for your air travel this holiday season, fly when everybody else is trying to – the days immediately before and after the holiday. If you want to pay less, travel when everybody else isn’t. Arrive a few days earlier and/or stay a few days later. Since Christmas and New Year’s are both on Saturdays this year, consider not flying out for a day or two. More time with family – which could be a blessing or a curse – and more money in your pocket.

Pier 1 Imports takes up to 90% off its selection of clearance items. (Prices are as marked.) Shipping starts at $5, but orders of $49 or more qualify for free shipping via coupon code "FREESHIP49". (In-store pickup my also be available for a number of items.)

Pier 1 Imports takes up to 90% off its selection of clearance items. (Prices are as marked.) Shipping starts at ... Read
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Updated: 1 week 2 days ago

Macy's takes up to 70% off a selection of men's and women's clearance shoes. (Eligible items are marked.) Even better, cut an extra 30% off via coupon code "VIP". Pad your order with a beauty item (they start at $3) to bag free shipping; otherwise, shipping adds $10.95 or free on orders of $99 or more. Deal ends March 25. A couple of best bets, with prices after discount:

The North Face takes up to 40% off a selection of men's, women's, and kid's apparel. (Prices are as marked.) ... Read
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Updated: February 19, 2018

Crocs takes an extra 50% off its men's, women's, and kids' clearance styles during its Semi-Annual Clearance Event. (The discount applies in cart.) Shipping adds $4.99, or get free shipping on orders of $24.99 or more. That's tied with our September mention as the best no-minimum extra discount we've seen from Crocs in the past year. Deal ends March 20. A couple of best bets, with prices after discount:

Crocs takes an extra 50% off its men's, women's, and kids' clearance styles during its Semi-Annual Clearance Event. (The discount ... Read
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Updated: 3 days 17 hr ago

Dick's Sporting Goods takes up to 75% off a selection of clearance apparel, shoes, camping gear, sports items, and more. Shipping adds $5.99, although orders of $49 or more receive free shipping. (Large items may incur additional fees, as free shipping only covers up to $15 off the shipping cost. In-store pickup is also available for select items.) A couple of best bets:

Best Buy retail locations take an extra 50% off open-box luxury and built-in appliances via this printable coupon. Meanwhile, other ... Read
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Updated: 1 week 3 days ago

adidas via eBay cuts an extra 25% off select men's, women's, and kids' shoes and apparel. (Discount applies in cart.) Plus, all orders receive free shipping. A couple of best bets, with prices after the in-cart discount:

Hanes cuts up to 70% off its clearance items. Plus, all orders receive free shipping via coupon code "SHIPFREE". (Shipping normally adds $7.99 for all orders under $60.) Sizes and stock are limited for some items.

Columbia offers its Columbia Men's Powder Lite Hooded Jacket in several colors (Black pictured) for $59.99. Coupon code "COLMARCH60" cuts it to $47.99. Plus, Greater Rewards members receive free shipping. (Not a member? It's free to sign up.) That's the lowest price we could find in any color by $50. It's available in most sizes from S M to XXL. Deal ends March 27.

SanDisk Outlet Store takes up to 75% off a selection of USB flash drives, memory cards, headphones, and more. Plus, get an extra 10% off via coupon code "10OffOutletFS". Even better, the same code nets free shipping. Some exclusions apply. A couple of best bets, with prices after coupon:

Steep & Cheap takes up to 65% off a selection of Patagonia men's and women's clothing, accessories, and gear. (Prices ... Read
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Updated: 15 hr 11 min ago

For AMC Stubs Premiere members only, and with availability limited by ZIP code, Gofobo offers two tickets to an advanced screening of Ready Player One at select AMC Theatres nationwide for free. The viewing is scheduled for March 21 at 7 pm local time; tickets may sell out quickly.

Note: Although you can reserve your tickets without an AMC Stubs Premiere membership, you must show your membership card at your theater to redeem your ticket. The movie is scheduled for release on March 29.

For AMC Stubs Premiere members only, and with availability limited by ZIP code, Gofobo offers two tickets to an advanced ... Read
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Updated: 4 days 10 hr ago

At participating locations on April 2, Little Caesars will offer a freelunch combo with no purchase necessary. That's around a $5 savings, courtesy of 16-seed UMBC ousting the top-seeded Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. This offer is valid from 11:30 am to 1 pm local time. Other terms and conditions apply.

At participating locations on April 2, Little Caesars will offer a free lunch combo with no purchase necessary. That's around ... Read
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Updated: 2 days 15 hr ago

adidas via eBay offers its adidas Men's Lite Racer Shoes in Grey/White for $39.99. In-cart, it drops to $29.99. With free shipping, that's the lowest price we could find by $20. They're available in sizes 8 to 13.

H&M takes up to 70% off a select items as part of its Big Spring Sale. (Prices are as marked.) Shipping adds $5.99, but orders of $40 or more receive free shipping via coupon code "0040". Kids' items start at $1.99, men's shirts at $3.99 $5.99, and women's dresses at $3.99.

H&M takes up to 70% off a select items as part of its Big Spring Sale. (Prices are as marked.) ... Read
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Updated: 3 days 8 hr ago

Reebok via eBay takes up to 75% off shoes and apparel as part of its Friends & Family Sale. (Prices are as marked.) Plus, all orders bag free shipping. Sizes and stock may be limited. A couple of best bets:

Reebok via eBay takes up to 75% off shoes and apparel as part of its Friends & Family Sale. (Prices ... Read
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Updated: 3 days 8 hr ago

IKEA has dropped its shipping charges, with large item delivery starting now at a staggering low of $29! Wait, what? Yes, you heard correctly. With a previous starting price of $99 (and current maximum price of $59) for large items, that yields a $70 savings in many cases. Plus, the shipping rate for small items has been reduced from a starting price of $10 to a flat rate of $9. Although we briefly saw free shipping on orders of $250 or more in October, it still yields some of the greatest widespread savings we've ever seen from IKEA.

Walmart offers the Rockland Melbourne Hardside 3-Piece Spinner Set in Champagne for $62.51 with free shipping. That's the best price ... Read
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Updated: 7 hr 44 min ago

Udemy continues to offer a selection of online courses for free. Each course includes hours of content, and most are by far the best deals we could find for such classes. Here are a few interesting ones:

Udemy continues to offer a selection of online courses for free. Each course includes hours of content, and most are ... Read
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Updated: 1 week 18 hr ago

Lowe's takes up to 75% offclearance items, with prices starting from 74 cents. (Most prices are as marked, but some items receive discounts in cart.) Plus, MyLowe's members bag free shipping on most orders. (Not a member? It's free to join. Larger items may incur oversized shipping fees.) A couple of best bets:

Lowe's takes up to 75% off clearance items, with prices starting from 74 cents. (Most prices are as marked, but ... Read
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Updated: 3 days 15 hr ago

This summer, NASA will launch the Parker Solar Probe. Sign up here for free to put your name in a memory card that will fly aboard the craft. A meaningless gesture, but no less cool for that (so-to-speak).

The probe is designed to get closer to the sun than any spacecraft in history and collect new data on solar activity and its effects on Earth; it will orbit the sun at around 450,000 miles per hour (which would take you from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. in one second). The launch window for the probe is between July 31 and August 19, and it should make its first close approach in December 2024. The deadline for submitting your name is April 27.

This summer, NASA will launch the Parker Solar Probe. Sign up here for free to put your name in a ... Read
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Updated: 2 days 9 hr ago

Shively Sporting Goods via eBay offers the adidas Men's Climalite Game Time Polo Shirt in White for $9.99 with free shipping. That's $3 under our September mention and is the lowest price we could find by $17. It's available in size S only.

JCPenney takes up to 70% off a selection of Columbia men's and women's clearance styles. Shipping adds $8.95, although orders of $99 or more bag free shipping. (Ship-to-store pickup is also available for $3.95 and free for most orders over $25; free same-day pickup may also be available for select items.) A couple of best bets: